I'm designing a high-voltage power supply for a plasma experiment. I have a center-tapped ignition transformer (50:1) that I'm using to step up the voltage from 120VAC to 6kVAC and then using a full wave bridge rectifier to get +/- 6kVDC. The problem is, the design of the experiment requires me to have 0 and -12kVDC outputs, not +/- 6kVDC (essentially, the positive terminal on the device I'm using needs to be grounded). My basic understanding of this concept is that I somehow have to connect the center tap of the transformer to -6kV, which is called "floating" the transformer. How can I modify the basic rectifier circuit:
to fulfill this need?
Thanks,
Noah
Best Answer
You would have to disconnect the ground on the transformer center tap, but I would not recommend doing this because the insulation between primary and secondary (or between secondary and case/mounting) may not withstand 12 KV.
If you need 12 KV, you should get a proper 12KV power supply.